FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College students Fady Mahrous and Cooper Seeley have developed into the real thing, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation concurs. The two members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society made the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team and will each receive a $1,300 scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by awarding nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
Seeley, a finance major at TCC Northwest, plans to attend TCU or SMU after graduating in May. She envisions a career in a bank or her own firm providing private wealth management for high-profile clients.
“Cooper has truly been an asset to our chapter and to our officer team,” said history Professor Peter Martinez, who advises TCC Northwest’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Alpha Delta Delta. “She has proven to be a great listener, an astute learner and a budding leader. Cooper is worthy of this recognition and much more.”
Mahrous, a biology major at TCC Northeast, intends to transfer to the University of North Texas in Denton when she graduates from TCC in 2028. Her long-term goal is to attend veterinary school at Texas A&M University. She was inspired by her father and a passion for animals.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said foundation President Jane Hale Paulsen. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”
College administrators nominate students for the academic team. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service.
Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be celebrated in local and statewide ceremonies and recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Baltimore, Md., March 26-28.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. It supports more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year and awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. PTK tops four million members and 1,200 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive community college with six campuses in Tarrant County, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds.